Editors apologise for misusing Anne Frank's image

The editors of the Harvard Lampoon have apologised for using an image of Anne Frank's face on the body of a woman wearing a bikini.

The publication is published by Harvard University students in the US.

The satirical headline read: "Gone Before Her Time: Virtual Ageing Technology Shows Us What Anne Frank Would Have Looked Like if She Hadn't Died", above the image.

"Add this to your list of reasons the Holocaust sucked," was written beneath.

The German-born Jewish girl became famous posthumously following the publication of her diary, written while in hiding, called The Diary of a Young Girl, later becoming known as The Diary of Anne Frank.

The publication immediately came under attack for sexualising arguably the most famous Holocaust victim, 15-year-old Anne Frank, who died during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.

Harvard students joined public condemnation of the image.

"To suggest that the worth of Anne Frank’s life is tied to the appearance of her body rather than her bravery and resilience is exceptionally demeaning," wrote student Jenny Baker in a letter she posted on Facebook.

"Just last week, people around the globe mourned the loss of the millions of people murdered in the ethnic cleansing of the Holocaust," Schuster added. "I took a moment to reflect on how my grandfather and his family lost everything short of their lives, knowing many others were not that lucky."

Rabbi Jonah C. Steinberg, executive director of Harvard Hillel, shared a letter he wrote to the editors with BuzzFeed News.

He said the publications depiction of Anne Frank "goes far beyond the distastefulness and provocativeness you obviously intended.

The following statement has been published on the website. (Harvard Lampoon)

"It is the sexual violation of a child – one who, in life, was subjected to the most hideous of crimes," he added.

More than 300 people have since signed a petition demanding public accountability for the editorial decision to run the doctored image.

The petition expanded it's criticism of the publication, accusing it of trivialising suicide, 9/11 and school shootings.

The book has been published in 60 languages. (Amazon)

"It's sexist and racist culture discourages women and minorities from entering comedy, exacerbating an already-pressing diversity problem within the field," the petition states.

In their apology, published on the Lampoon's website, the editors said the magazine "condemns any and all forms of anti-Semitism" and plans to review its processes for issues going forward.

"We realise the extent of offence we have inflicted and understand that we must take responsibility for our actions," the editors said.